Sister Mary Ellen Smoot
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
We are living at a significant time, in an age of wonder. The word, created by Jesus Christ, is perfect in function.
"Brothers and sisters, we are children of God. Shouldn't we be about our Father's business? Shouldn't we be creators as well?"
Some may say they're not creative. But if you have coaxed a baby to smile, prepared a family home evening lesson, helped someone learn to read or done something special for the person you visit or home teach, then you have been creative.
"I believe we carve souls — our own and others — every day. Let's determine now to make those souls 'pure and chaste.' Create homes filled with love and serenity. Relieve suffering. Create enduring testimonies of eternal truths in ourselves and those we can influence."
Last summer, the Presiding Bishopric asked church members to help relieve the suffering of Kosovo refugees by making quilts. About 30,000 were expected, but church leaders have received more than 125,000. They have been sent not only to Kosovo, but to Turkey, Venezuela, Mexico, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
In the name of service — in our homes, wards, neighborhoods and beyond — we can be creators.
"If you are unhappy, if you are feeling weary, troubled or disillusioned, may I ask you to try something? Instead of dwelling on your troubles, focus instead on creating something remarkable, something of eternal significance. Nurture a testimony, strengthen a relationship, write a family history, go to the temple, serve."
